Tesla Inc. officially launched its fully autonomous robotaxi service in Dallas and Houston today, April 20, 2026. This expansion marks the first time the company’s ride-hailing platform, the Tesla Network, has operated in these major Texas metropolitan areas without human safety monitors. The service is now accessible to the general public through the Tesla mobile application, allowing users to request point-to-point transportation within designated geofenced zones in both urban centers.
The initial deployment includes a fleet of 2,000 vehicles, primarily comprised of Model 3 and Model Y units. These vehicles are equipped with the latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, version 15.2, which Tesla officials stated has met the safety benchmarks required for Level 4 autonomous operation. The service operates 24 hours a day and covers approximately 600 square miles across the two cities. Tesla confirmed that the fleet relies entirely on its "Vision" camera-based system and the proprietary AI5 onboard computer, eschewing the use of LiDAR or radar sensors.
During a press event at Gigafactory Texas, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk confirmed that the service is priced at a flat rate of $1.25 per mile. This pricing structure positions the service significantly below the average cost of traditional ride-hailing services in the region. Musk stated that the company expects the Texas operations to reach cash-flow positivity within twelve months, citing the lack of driver labor costs as the primary driver of operational efficiency. The company plans to expand the fleet to 10,000 vehicles across Texas by the end of the 2026 fiscal year.
Tesla secured regulatory approval for the launch from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) under the state’s autonomous vehicle statutes. To support the driverless fleet, Tesla has commissioned four "CyberHubs" in Dallas and Houston. These facilities provide automated cleaning, tire rotations, and high-speed charging via V5 Supercharger stalls. According to Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s Director of Autopilot Software, the Dallas and Houston environments were selected due to their complex infrastructure and high traffic density, providing a rigorous test for the software’s decision-making capabilities.
The launch includes a new "Passenger Safety Protocol" that allows riders to communicate with a remote support team via the vehicle’s internal touchscreen and microphones. While the vehicles operate without a physical driver, Tesla maintains a remote monitoring center in Austin to oversee fleet health and intervene in the event of unforeseen road closures or emergency vehicle interactions. This launch follows a successful pilot program in Austin, where Tesla reported a 40% reduction in per-mile operating costs compared to human-driven ride-sharing.